Having been rather negative about the Museo Reina Sofia in a previous post (see here), There was one installation on the ground floor of the museum which was worth attention. The installation was by Richard Serra, and his introductions of large slabs of steel into a simple white space managed to create a deeply calming contemplative space.

My understanding is that the title of the space (Equal-Parallel; Guernica-Bengazi) is not intended to describe the work itself but simply to draw attention to the continuity of atrocity, and perhaps to give a subject for contemplation. Certainly, recent events continue to remind us that evil is not limited to any particular time or group and that we all need time and space to reflect and consider.

In a museum that is otherwise rather full of work whose aggressive self-importance constantly risks pushing away and alienating the audience, this is an installation which draws you in and quietly encourages you to stay longer.